Watkins Community Lays 5-Year-Old Alayna Ertl To Rest

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – People in Watkins will come together Friday morning to say goodbye to Alayna Ertl.

A funeral is being held for the 5-year-old who was kidnapped and killed six days ago.

Investigators arrested a family friend, Zach Anderson, in connection with her death. He has been charged with murder, criminal sexual conduct and kidnapping.

A visitation was held Thursday evening; the line for which stretched around the block. For hours, mourners filed into the small funeral home as bubbles floated through the air.

The visitation lasted until 8 p.m., and runs again Friday from 9 to 10 a.m. before her funeral.

The family asked our cameras not to go inside but we know the walls were filled with pictures of a happy little girl along with Alayna's favorite toys.

School starts in Watkins after Labor Day and teachers said they will do what they can to help Alayna's classmates cope.

Hundreds of people are expected to attend the funeral. It starts at 10:30 a.m. at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Watkins.